Imee asks forgiveness for father

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—In light of the raging controversy on the burial of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos did what anti-Marcos forces have been crying for: ask forgiveness for whatever sins the elder Marcos may have done in the past.

“Kung anuman ang sala ng ama ko—at tao din siya, nagkakamali at nagkasala, sana’y patawarin na nila. Na sa pagpapatawad nila’y mabigyan ang tatay ko ng kapayapaan at sa kanilang pagpapatawad mapawi sa wakas ang kanilang galit at matagpuan rin nila ang katahimikan,” said Ms. Marcos in her short speech during the culmination program of the three-day activity commemorating her dad’s 99^th birthday on September 11, 2016.

Just after the thanksgiving vigil at sunset where thousands of supporters lit candles and released white balloons at the newly-refurbished Batac plaza, fronting the Imelda Cultural Center, Ms. Marcos thanked everyone who supported the Marcos family throughout the years.

“Kung wala kayo, wala na rin siguro ang aming pamilya. Kami ay kumukuha ng lakas, ng tibay, at pagmamahal galing sa inyo,” she stressed.

After showing a video documentary about the former President’s life as the longest-serving president of the country, she also shared that her dad was just a simple person who loved dinengdeng, who loved to dance the tango, and a father who was indulgent, patient and always joking around.

She also wished that people would find forgiveness in their hearts amidst all the controversies surrounding his burial. 

Describing his uncle Andy (Marcos nickname) who spoke calmly and soft during his time, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba also recalled the days being with him. “He belong to the best time of gentleman politician. We are thankful for his teaching presidency,” Mr. Barba said.

As a brother, Mr. Barba said his mom Fortuna (Mr. Marcos’ youngest sister) would always recall how her manong Andy has always been there for her. 

“When I asked mom what was her most unforgettable experience with uncle Andy, she said that after the war when she needed to be in Manila, her brother came rushing to her at hinatid siya from Sarrat to Manila. Going to Manila that time was very difficult,” Mr. Barba explained.

Marcos loyalists

A crowd of almost 5,000 gathered in Batac City to join the massive celebration of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos' 99^th birth anniversary.

The event was synchronized nationwide, with respective activities organized from Urdaneta City in Pangasinan; Metro Manila; and Sta. Cruz, Laguna, to as far as Tacloban City, Leyte, and Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

In Batac, it began with a 4pm mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish for thanksgiving and to intercede for the former President's burial at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB), which has become a heated national issue.

Visitors coming from different provinces and regions made an effort to attend the main celebration in Marcos' home province, including 46-year-old Estrella de Guzman of Claveria, Cagayan.

Ms. De Guzman has been a member of Friends of Imelda R. Marcos (FIRM) since 2008, and has long been attending the birthday activities of both FEM and "Madam Imelda" yearly, together with her family.

With tears in her eyes, she said, "I would like to greet Tatay Ferdinand Marcos a happy birthday. We are here to show our unending support to the Marcos family."

1M signatures sought for Libingan

In addition to celebrating the former president's birthday, supporters nationwide have been pushing to gather a million signatures for his LNMB burial.

The signature campaign is being spearheaded by Marcos loyalists all over the country. Among those in Batac, it was FIRM and the Guardians Reform Advocacy and Cooperation towards Economic Prosperity Inc. (Grace Guardians Inc.) who led the spreading of the petition.

Such campaigning supplements an online petition posted on Change.org calling for FEM's burial at the LNMB.

Collected signatures from the ground campaign have yet to be collated.

‘Unity Ride’

MEANWHILE, bikers from various parts of Northern Luzon mounted a “Unity Ride” in time for Mr. Marcos’ birth anniversary.

The group assembled in front of the Provincial Capitol at 7:30 am on September 11. From there, they rode to Sarrat, Ilocos Norte to witness a wreath-laying ceremony and attend a mass for the late president.

Joseph Odlaumor Pacol, 29, a member of the Ilocos Norte deaf association here flashed the iconic “V” loyalist sign, saying “it’s about time the remains of Marcos is finally buried.”

Along with some friends from the local deaf community, they wrote their name and affixed their signature and address for a campaign, youth volunteers in the province is currently spearheading to push for the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Gary Ronquillo, coordinator of the Motorcycle Philippines Federation of Ilocos Norte Chapter with over 700 members joined the “unity ride” including other members from neighboring Cagayan and Ilocos Sur provinces.

According to Mr. Ronquillo, the unity ride is their way of honoring the former President’s contribution to the country and also a simple way of expressing support to his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.